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Saint Vincent de Paul

Saint Vincent de Paul (April 24, 1581 – September 27, 1660) was born at Pouy, Landes, Gascony, France to a peasant family. His feast was formerly kept on July 19, but is now observed on September 27 - the day of his death.

He studied humanities at Dax with the Cordeliers and he graduated in theology at Toulouse. Vincent de Paul was ordained in 1600, remaining in Toulouse until he went to Marseille for an inheritance. On his way back from Marseille, he was taken captive by Turkish pirates to Tunis, and sold into slavery. After converting his owner to Christianity, Vincent de Paul was freed in 1607. Vincent returned to France and served as priest in a parish near Paris. He was at once discouraged by the number of babies brought to Notre Dame, so he established a home for these foundlings.

He founded many charitable organizations such as Congregation of the Daughters of Charity, with Louise de Marillac, and the Congregation of Priests of the Mission (Lazarists).

In 1705 the Superior-General of the Lazarists requested that the process of his canonization might be instituted. On August 13, 1729, Vincent was declared Blessed by Benedict XIII, and canonized by Clement XII on June 16, 1737. In 1885 Leo XIII gave him as patron to the Sisters of Charity. He is also patron to the Brothers of Charity. His body has remained incorrupt to this day.

Society of Saint Vincent de Paul

The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul is an international organization of Roman Catholic lay men and women of all ages, whose primary mission is to help the poor and less fortunate.

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul was founded in 1833. The primary figure behind the Society's founding was Frederick Ozanam, a French lawyer, author, and professor in the Sorbonne. He was 20 years old in the year the Society was founded.

The Society took Saint Vincent de Paul as its patron under the influence of Sister Rosalie Rendu, DC (Daughter of Charity). Sister Rosalie (who was beatified in 2004 by Pope John Paul II) was member of the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul. Sr. Rosalie, who was well known for her work with people in the slums of Paris, guided Frédéric and his companions in their approach towards those in need.

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is part of the Vincentian Family which also includes the Congregation of the Mission (Vincentian priests and brothers, also founded by St. Vincent de Paul), Daughters of Charity, Ladies of Charity (organization of lay women who help the poor, founded by St. Vincent de Paul), Sisters of Charity in the Setonian tradition, and several others, including some religious groups who are part of the Anglican Communion (Church of England, Episcopal Church USA, etc.).

The Society numbers about 950,000 in some 132 countries worldwide, whose members operate through "conferences". A conference may be based out of Catholic volunteers who dedicate their time and resources to help those in need in their community. Non-Catholics may join with the understanding that the Society is a Catholic organization.

Society Of Saint Vincent de Paul (SSVP) St Anthony’s Conference - Singapore

Director : Fr. Vincent Chee

Members :
President            : Stephen Bruce
Vice President 1 : Xavier Saran Kandasamy
Vice President 2 : Joseph Fernandez

There are about 25 members comprising both youths and adults.

Our Mission
To Love and Serve Like Christ

Our Vission
Inspired by Gospel values, the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, leads its members to grow spiritually by offering service to those who are in need and suffering, in the tradition of its founder, Blessed Frederic Ozanam, and patron Saint Vincent de Paul.

About Us
The Society’s services are administered through a network of volunteers from Catholic parishes. Hence the society in St Anthony’s church is known as SSVP-Saint Anthony’s Conference.

Anyone who wishes to live their faith by loving and serving their neighbour can be a member. This ministry, involves substantial person-to-person contact and encompasses every form of aid that alleviates suffering and promotes the dignity and integrity of mankind.

Members are known as Vincentians. In carrying out their ministry, a Vincentian has to blend spirituality, fellowship and service.

Spirituality
To bear witness to Christ and to His Church by showing that the faith of Christians inspires them to work for the good of humanity.

Fellowship
Bring together men and women to assist them by mutual example and true friendship in drawing nearer to the Divine Model by fulfilling God’s essential precepts; namely, the love of God in the person of others.

Service
To establish a personal contact between its members and those who suffer and to bring to the latter the most efficacious and charitable aid possible. The focus is not on efficient operations but rather to provide the highest quality of service possible to those in need regardless of how much time is involved. The focus is on who we are serving rather than how efficiently we are doing something.

Activities

• Fortnightly meetings.
  
• Monthly collection of donations from parishioners during mass.
  
• Monthly distribution of aid to families under the care of SSVP.
  
• Regular visits or contact with families under the care of SSVP.
  
• Ad hoc visits to homes.
  
• Organise outings for families under the care of SSVP.
  
• Participate or organise inter-conference activities.
  
• Participate or organise church initiated events.
  

How To Obtain Help If You Are In Need
If you are in need of help, please contact the church office. Inform them that you need SSVP’s assistance. You only need to leave your name and contact number. An SSVP member will get in touch with you to understand better how we can assist.

How Can You Help?
It is through the involvement of the community that the society of St. Vincent de Paul can continue to serve the poor and needy.

• Monetary contributions
  A second collection is carried out at every mass on the 1st Sunday of each month for the poor. You may make a donation when our members collect such contributions from the congregation during mass.
  
  You may also place your donations in a donation box situated at the back of the church at anytime during the year or hand such donations to the parish priest, clearly stating that the donation is for SSVP. Cheques should be made payable to the "Society of Saint Vincent de Paul".
  
  
• Membership
  Become a member of the society and be part of the team to reach out personally to the poor. Sign up by approaching any of the members or give your name and contact number to the church office and inform them of your intention to join. We will get in touch with you thereafter.